Uconn

Connecticut head coach Paul Pasqualoni instructs his team on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland at Rentschler Field, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

There are probably few good times for UConn to play the winningest program in college football history, but Saturday night's game against No. 15 Michigan at Rentschler Field sits squarely in the bad-timing category.

The Wolverines eased past Central Michigan in their opener, 59-9. A week later, they put on an offensive show in front of a national television audience in dispatching Notre Dame, 41-30. Last week, Michigan needed a late defensive stand at Michigan Stadium to hold off Akron, 28-24.

The Wolverines' youth showed in that game and coach Brady Hoke was so displeased with it that he took the unusual step of having his team practice Sunday.

"We needed to get back to the fundamentals, back to technique," Hoke said. "Part of that is, we want to improve every day we go out on the field. ... We didn't do that Saturday. We had to make up some time for what we did do Saturday."

So now Michigan has something to prove to its coach, especially considering it is the first road game of the year for the Wolverines. Many experts consider Michigan a team that can win the Big Ten title and possibly challenge for a national title.

The prevailing opinion is that youth and inexperience will be the stumbling blocks. But the Wolverines probably learned a valuable lesson against Akron, one that Hoke hopes can carry through the rest of the season. Playing another team that is clearly not on Michigan's level at this point might help.

"I don't know if I'd consider (UConn) a lesser opponent," Hoke said. "It's so early in the season that we're all just trying to get our feet underneath us. Depending on youth and experience, every team is different. We're trying to figure out our team in a lot of ways. We're going to find out who we are. First game on the road, first road test."

UConn is the team facing the bigger test. For the second straight week, it must contend with a quarterback who can do damage with his arm and his legs. Devin Gardner has rushed for 237 yards and four touchdowns while passing for 704 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he has thrown six interceptions already.

The Sunday practice sent a message to Gardner and his teammates. Having the mistakes against Akron pointed out so quickly also made Gardner eager to get back on the field.

"I can't wait," Gardner told the Detroit Free Press. "This week has been so long. When you play bad, the week moves so slow, and when you play good, it moves so fast. I just can't wait to be back on the field. And then we have an 8 o'clock game, so it makes it even longer. I definitely have to play better. I can't wait."

Michigan undoubtedly will have a rather large travel contingent in the stands at Rentschler Field. UConn made 5,000 tickets available to Michigan this week, about 2,000 more than it usually makes available for opposing fans.

With temporary bleachers in place, the 31st sellout in Rentschler history will see roughly 42,200 fans turn out. UConn crowds have been known to be extremely loud, especially for night games, but the crowd will still fall well short of what is normal for Michigan. That will either play in UConn's favor or be a non-factor to the Wolverines.

"It doesn't matter who's there watching," Hoke said. "What matters is how we prepare and how we play. ... It all comes down to what both teams do while we're out on the field."

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